Mixture of iron and copper salts masking metallic taste

ABSTRACT

A composition comprising iron pyrophosphate and copper citrate does not exhibit the unpleasant taste and aftertaste usually found with iron supplements.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an oral composition comprising ferric pyrophosphate as an iron source and copper citrate as a copper source, without having a metallic taste, its process for preparation and its use as a nutritional supplement for balancing the systemic iron levels of a patient.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Iron is essential to most life forms and to normal human physiology. Iron is an integral part of many proteins and enzymes that maintain good health. In humans, iron is an essential component of proteins involved in oxygen transport (Dallman, P. R., “Biochemical Basis for the Manifestations of Iron Deficiency,” Ann Rev Nutr, 6, pp. 1340 (1986)). It is also essential for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation (Andrews, N. C., “Disorders of Iron Metabolism,” N Eng J Med, 341, pp. 1986-95 (1999)). An iron deficiency can limit oxygen delivery to cells, resulting in fatigue, poor work performance, and decreased immunity (Haas, J. D. et al., “Iron Deficiency and Reduced Work Capacity: a Critical Review of the Research to Determine a Causal Relationship,” J Nutr, 131, pp. 691S-96S, (2001), Bhaskaram, P., “Immunobiology of Mild Micronutrient Deficiencies,” Br J Nutr, 85, pp. S75-80 (2001).

Several oral compositions are known for the use as nutritional or dietary supplement containing iron. Known oral compositions that are specifically adapted to treat conditions such as iron deficiencies include multi-vitamin and mineral supplements or other oral dosage forms that provide an enhanced level of an iron compound. These compositions, however, generally do not contain extremely high levels of iron, because these compositions can leave a bad metallic taste or aftertaste upon taking the oral composition. The taste can be bad enough to interfere with patient compliance with an enhanced iron regimen.

As an alternative, to avoid or lessen an unacceptably bad metallic taste, some compositions look to known taste masking technologies, such as coating of iron containing granules or tablets, admixing taste masking flavors, or use of capsules. These techniques, however, can increase the complexity of manufacturing the composition and can also be very expensive, relative to the cost of the ingredients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention therefore is to provide a medicinal composition for oral consumption, comprising an iron containing nutritional supplement that is taste-masked in an efficient and inexpensive manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a taste-masked nutritional supplement containing an iron compound that can advantageously be used in the form of a chewable, quick dissolve or other orodispersible tablet or in the form of an effervescent formulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for making a nutritional supplement that is not unduly expensive or difficult to regulate to maintain quality control standards.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a process for treating a patient in need of an iron supplement with a reliable, convenient formulation that encourages patient compliance by reducing or eliminating the unpleasant taste and aftertaste associated with iron supplements.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from this description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve the foregoing objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a medicinal compound containing an iron supplement. The iron supplement is in the form of a ferric salt in combination with a copper salt. The ferric salt is a pyrophosphate salt and the copper salt is a copper citrate.

To further achieve the foregoing objects, the invention provides a process for manufacturing a nutritional supplement in which a first blend is formed comprising a copper citrate salt and a second blend is formed comprising a ferric pyrophosphate salt and then the two blends are combined to form a compressible mixture. The compressible mixture is then compressed to form a nutritional supplement.

To further achieve the foregoing objects, the invention provides a process for treating a patient in need of regulation of systemic iron levels comprising the steps of periodic administration of a composition comprising a ferric pyrophosphate salt and a copper citrate salt and periodically monitoring the systemic iron level of the patient.

One advantage of the invention is that the medicinal composition is free of a metallic taste or aftertaste.

Another advantage of the invention is that the iron pyrophosphate and the copper citrate readily combine with minerals and vitamins to make useful nutritional supplements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention comprises an oral composition comprising an iron source, which is ferric pyrophosphate, and copper citrate as a copper source. The oral composition of the invention surprisingly does not have a metallic bad taste and aftertaste usually found in convention iron supplements.

Ferric pyrophosphates useful in the invention include the anhydrous form of ferric pyrophosphate which is a preferred embodiment. But, any kind of solvate pyrophosphate, preferably a hydrate, may also be used. The monohydrate or the nonahydrate of ferric pyrophosphate are preferred hydrates. The nonahydrate of ferric pyrophosphate is most preferable.

The amount of the iron source in composition of the invention may advantageously be selected so that the amount of iron comprises from about 1 mg to about 60 mg, preferably from about 2 mg to about 20 mg, of the composition.

The copper citrate may also be any kind of solvate, such as a hydrate. A preferred hydrate is copper citrate hemipentahydrate.

The amount of copper citrate in the composition according to the invention is be advantageously set so that the amount of copper comprises from about 0.1 mg to about 2 mg, preferably from about 0.3 mg to about 1.1 mg of the composition.

The weight ratio between the iron and the copper in the composition of the invention may be from about 1:2 to about 50:1, preferably from about 5:1 to about 25:1, and most preferably from about 10:1 to about 20:1. As used herein, “ratio” means the ratio by weight of the individual iron and copper components, not the total weight of the ferric pyrophosphate and the total weight of the calcium citrate in the composition.

The invention may also comprise additional active ingredients such as vitamins and minerals. Vitamins may include, but are not limited to, vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D3 (cholecalcipherol), vitamin E (tocopherol acetate), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), nicotinamide, vitamin B5 (panthothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin K1 and biotin. Minerals may include, but are not limited to, calcium salts such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium glycerophosphate; magnesium salts such as magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulphate (dihydrate) or magnesium oxide; zinc salts such as zinc citrate; selenium salts such as sodium selenate; potassium iodide; manganese salts such as manganese sulphate; salts of molybdenum such as sodium molybdenate; chromium salts such as chromium chloride; sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

The composition according to the invention is preferably administered orally. It may be administered one or more times per day, preferably not more than three time per day, and more preferably up to two times per day. With each administration the number of dosage forms taken in at the same time should not generally exceed two doses, to encourage patient compliance.

The composition according to the present invention can be used as nutritional supplement or as dietary supplement for balancing the supply of iron in a patient. A patient, for the purpose of this invention, may be a mammal, including a human.

In some cases it may be advantageous to deviate from the preferred dosage levels, administration amounts or other preferred aspects of the invention, depending on factors recognized by skilled physicians, such as body weight, individual behavior toward the active ingredient, type of preparation, and time or interval over which the administration is to be carried out. Less than minimum amounts may be acceptable for certain patients, while the upper limit may properly be exceeded for other patients.

The composition of the invention may be formed into suitable administration forms which deliver the combination of the invention and which include, but are not limited to, compressed tablets, fast dissolve tablets that disintegrate rapidly in the oral cavity (orodispersible tablets), powders, sachets, granules, pellets, chewable tablets, chewing gums, dispersible tablets, effervescent compositions, such as effervescent tablets or effervescent granules, liquids, solutions, emulsions, gels, syrups or drops.

Tablets, granules, orodispersible tablets, chewable tablets, chewing gums, dispersible tablets, effervescent tablets and effervescent granules are preferred administration forms. More preferably the application forms are chewable tablets, orodispersible tablets, chewing gums, dispersible tablets, effervescent tablets and effervescent granules. Most preferably, fast disintegrating orodispersible tablet, chewable tablets or effervescent formulations with a disintegration time in the oral cavity of less than or equal to about one hundred seconds, and more preferably less than or equal to about eighty seconds.

The administration form may comprise ingredients that are generally known in the art as being useful and accepted for manufacture of pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements and that are physiologically unobjectionable. Such ingredients include fillers like cellulose derivatives (e.g. microcrystalline cellulose), sugars (e.g. lactose), sugar alcohols (e.g. mannitol, sorbitol), inorganic fillers (e.g. calcium phosphates), binders (e.g. polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin, starch derivatives and cellulose derivatives), and all other excipients required to produce formulations of pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Other acceptable ingredients include lubricants (magnesium stearate), disintegrants (crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium carboxymethylcellulose), wetting agents (sodium lauryl sulphate), release control agents (cellulose derivatives, polyacrylic acid derivatives), stabilizers, sweeteners, antioxidants, preservatives, flavorings, colored pigments, and effervescent couples (preferably citric acid as an acid component and sodium carbonate and/or sodium hydrogen carbonate as a basic component).

Liquid formulations may be produced by standard methods using excipients that are usual for pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Liquid formulations contain the iron and copper salts in either dissolved or suspended form. Typical administration volumes of these pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement preparations may be from about 1 to about 10 mls of liquid. Excipients in liquid formulations may include: solvents and co-solvents (water, acceptable alcohols, and natural and synthetic oils such as medium chain-link triglycerides), solubilizers (glycerol and glycol derivatives), and wetting agents (polysorbate and sodium lauryl sulphate). Further excipients useful to produce formulations of pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements of the desired properties include viscosity-increasing agents, pH-adjusters, sweeteners, flavorings, antioxidants, stabilizers, and preservatives.

Excipients for pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements may be found in many publications known in the art, such as “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients,” Rowe R. C, et al., American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington, 4th edition (2003).

The dosage forms mentioned herein may be produced by generally known standard processes. Swallowable or chewable tablets can be produced by mixing and/or granulating the active ingredients together with excipients to form a blend that is pressed to form tablets. Different blends containing different ingredients and excipients can be premixed and combined to a final blend which is then pressed into tablets. In the case of an effervescent formulation the acid/base couple can be added to a final blend or the acid and the base members of the effervescent couple may be added at different times to the blend or added to different blends that may be finally combined.

One advantage of the composition of the present invention is that preparation of the composition does not require a complex and expensive taste masking technology, such as coating of tablets or granules, or putting the formulation into a capsule. Rather, the composition of the present invention can be prepared by simple and well-known procedures. While the invention does not exclude the use of flavors and sweeteners, overwhelming amounts of sweeteners and flavors is not required to cover and mask the bad taste usually associated with iron supplements.

The invention may be better understood by reviewing the examples set forth herein.

Example 1

Formulations were prepared having the ingredients set forth in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Formulations for Orodispersible Tablets Amount based Amount of the form Orodispersible Tablet on the active Tablet weight 1000 mg of the active Active Ingredient ingredient [mg] Form of the active ingredient ingredient [mg] Vitamin A 400 Vitamin A palmitate 100,000 IU/g 13.33 Vitamin C 30 Ascorbic acid 30 Vitamin D3 2.5 Cholecalciferol 100,000 IU/g 0.8 Vitamin E 5 Tocopherol acetate 50% CWS/F 14 Thiamin 1.05 Thiamin nitrate 33% Rocoat 3.9 (Vitamin (B1)) Riboflavin 1.2 Riboflavin 33% Rocoat 3.6 (Vitamin B2) Nicotinamide (PP) 13.5 Nicotinamide 13.5 Pantothenic acid 3 Calcium pantothenate 3.26 (Vitamin B5) Pyridoxine 1.5 Pyridoxine hydrochloride 5.46 (Vitamin B6) 33% Rocoat Folic acid 150 Folic acid 10% trituration 1.5 Cyanocobalamin 0.75 Dry vitamin B12 0.1% WS 0.75 (Vitamin B12) Biotin 75 Biotin 1% trituration 7.5 Calcium 60 Calcium carbonate DCCS90L 166.53 Magnesium 25 Magnesium oxide 41.45 Iron 4 Ferric pyrophosphate 16.0 Zinc 3.75 Zinc citrate trihydrate 12.02 Iodine 37.5 potassium iodide 5% trituration 0.75 Selenium 25 Sodium selenate anhydrous 1% 2.5 trituration Copper 0.45 Copper citrate•2.5 H₂O 1.28 Manganese 0.9 Manganese sulfate monohydrate 2.77 Molybdenum 22.5 Sodium molybdate dihydrate 1% 2.25 trituration Chromium 12.5 Chromic chloride hexahydrate 1% 1.25 trituration Pharmaburst C1 qs 1 tablet Anhydrous citric acid 16 Magnesium stearate 25 Sodium 20 hydrogencarbonate Pineapple flavor 3 Passion fruit flavor 3 Aspartame 13 Iron oxide 2.5

Pharmaburst C1 is commercially available (SPI Pharma, US Drug Masterfile Number: 17044; U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,765).

Example 2

Formulations were prepared having the ingredients set forth in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Additional Formulations Amount based Amount of the form Orodispersible Tablet on the active Tablet weight 1000 mg of the active Active ingredient ingredient (mg) Form of the active ingredient ingredient (mg) Vitamin A 400 Vitamin A palmitate 100,000 IU/g 13.33 Vitamin C 30 Ascorbic acid 30 Vitamin D3 2.5 Cholecalciferol 100,000 IU/g 0.8 Vitamin E 5 Tocopherol acetate 50% CWS/F 14 Thiamin 1.05 Thiamin nitrate 33% Rocoat 3.9 (Vitamin Riboflavin 1.2 Riboflavine 33% Rocoat 3.6 (Vitamin B2) Nicotinamide (PP) 13.5 Nicotinamide 13.5 Pantothenic acid 3 Calcium pantothenate 3.26 (Vitamin B5) Pyridoxine 1.5 Pyridoxine hydrochloride 5.46 (Vitamin B6) 33% Rocoat Folic acid 150 Folic acid 10% trituration 1.5 Cyanocobalamin 0.75 Dry Vitamin B12 0.1% WS 0.75 (Vitamin B12) Biotin 75 Biotin 1% trituration 7.5 Calcium 60 Calcium carbonate 166.53 Magnesium 25 Magnesium oxide 41.45 Iron 4 Ferric pyrophosphate 16.0 Zinc 3.75 Zinc citrate trihydrate 12.02 Iodine 37.5 Potassium iodide 5% trituration 0.75 Selenium 25 Sodium selenate anhydrous 1% 2.5 trituration Copper 0.45 Copper citrate•2.5 H₂O 1.28 Manganese 0.9 Manganese sulfate monohydrate 2.77 Molybdenum 22.5 Sodium molybdate dihydrate 1% 2.25 trituration Chromium 12.5 Chromic chloride hexahydrate 1% 1.25 trituration F-melt grade C qs 1 tablet Anhydrous citric acid 16 Magnesium stearate 25 Sodium 20 hydrogencarbonate Pineapple flavor 3 Passion fruit flavor 3 Aspartame 13 Iron oxide 2.5

F-Melt grade C is commercially available (Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan) and contains D-mannitol, xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone and dibasic calcium phosphate.

The formulations of Examples 1 and 2 were formed into orodispersible tablets in accordance with the procedure set forth herein:

Premix:

In a drum, dry vitamin D3, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B 12, calcium pantothenate, biotin, copper citrate 2.5.H20, manganese sulphate monohydrate, iodine, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, pineapple flavor, passion fruit flavor, iron oxide yellow, aspartame and a part of the disintegrant (Pharmaburst C1 or F-Melt grade C) are mixed for 15 minutes.

Final Blend:

Premix, vitamin A palmitate, nicotinamide, dry vitamin E, ascorbic acid, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide heavy, iron source, zinc citrate.3H₂O, anhydrous citric acid, sodium hydrogen carbonate and the rest of the pharmaburst C1 or F-melt are mixed for 20 minutes. Thereafter magnesium stearate was added and it mixing continued for 5 additional minutes.

Compression:

The homogeneous final blend was compressed into tablets on a rotary tablet press.

Example 3

An effervescent formulation was prepared with the ingredients set forth in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Effervescent Formulation Amount based Amount of the form Effervescent tablet on the active Tablet weight 4800 mg of the active Active ingredients ingredient Form of the active ingredient ingredient Vitamin A as retinol (2667.7 IU) 800 μg Vitamin A palmitate 100,000 IU/g (2266.7 IU) 22.67 mg Beta carotene as betatab 10% E    (400 IU) 7.20 mg Vitamin D3    (200 IV) 5 μg Cholecalciferol concentrate 2.0 mg (water dispersible powder form) 100,000 IU/g Vitamin E 10 mg D-alpha-tocopherol acetate 29.80 mg concentrate (powder form) 50% Vitamin K 0.03 mg vitamin K1 5% SD 0.60 mg Vitamin B1 4.20 mg Thiamin monophosphoric acid 6.59 mg ester chloride dihydrate Vitamin B2 4.80 mg Sodium riboflavin 5′-phosphate 6.56 mg Niacin 54.0 mg nicotinamide 54.0 mg Pantothenic acid 18.0 mg Calcium D-pantothenate 19.57 mg Vitamin B6 6.0 mg Pyridoxine hydrochloride 7.3 mg Folic acid 0.60 mg Pteroylmonoglutamic acid 0.60 mg Vitamin B12 3.0 μg Cyanocobalamin powder 0.1% 3.0 mg water soluble Biotin 30 μg D-biotin 30 μg Vitamin C 180 mg Ascorbic acid fine powder 180 mg Calcium 120 mg Calcium carbonate 295.61 mg (see calcium pantothenate) Magnesium 80 mg Magnesium carbonate 163 mg Magnesium sulphate dihydrate 257.4 mg Iron 14 mg Ferric pyrophosphate 56 mg Copper 0.9 mg Copper citrate 2.5 hydrate 2.57 mg Iodine 0.075 mg Potassium iodine 0.098 mg Zinc 8 mg Zinc citrate trihydrate 25.63 mg Manganese 1.8 mg Manganese sulphate 5.54 mg monohydrate Potassium 20.4 mg Potassium chloride 38.96 mg Selenium 50 μg Sodium selenate anhydrous 0.12 mg Chromium 0.025 mg Chromium chloride hexahydrate 0.128 mg Molybdenum 0.045 mg Sodium molybdate dihydrate 0.113 mg Coenzyme Q10 3.0 mg Coenzyme Q10 10% 30 mg

Further excipients can be added to the formulation of Example 3 as set forth in Table 4:

TABLE 4 Excipients Excipients Amount [mg] Mannitol 100 mesh qs Mannitol SO 200 qs Sorbitol qs Anhydrous citric acid 1,800 Sodium hydrogen 950 Orange juice flavor 77 Sodium carbonate 65 Passion fruit flavor 30 aspartame 35 Potassium acesulfame 20 crospovidone 7 beet red juice powder 5 sucrose ester of fatty acids 0.15 qs: “quantum satis,” the quantity of an ingredient to add to reach the desired tablet weight

Half of mannitol SO 200 and half of sorbitol are used to obtain the theoretical tablet weight of 4800 mg. The quantity of mannitol 100 mesh is adjusted according to mineral contents in the granule.

Example 4

A formulation was prepared with the ingredients set forth in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Effervescent Composition Effervescent tablet Tablet weight 4400 mg Active ingredients Form of the active ingredient Amount Vitamin A Vitamin A 100 WS 28.929 mg vitamin D3 Vitamin D3 100 SD/S 3.6 mg Vitamin E Vitamin E 50% CWS/S 98.34 mg Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 HCl 8.701 mg Vitamin C Vitamin C 207.9 mg Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 0.1% WS 3.9 mg Folic acid Folic acid 0.5 mg Zinc citrate Zinc citrate 32.04 mg Iron Ferreous pyrophosphate 21 mg Copper Copper citrate•2.5 hydrate 2.678 mg Selenium Selenium trituration 1% 10.5 mg Citric acid Citric acid 1,500 mg Sodium Sodium 1,000 mg hydrogencarbonate hydrogencarbonate Sodium carbonate Sodium carbonate 65 mg Isomalt Isomalt DC100 1,208.912 mg Aspartame aspartame 40 mg Acesulfame Potassium acesulfame 20 mg Beta-carotene Beta-carotene 1% CWS 10 mg Red beet Red beet 13 mg Riboflavin Riboflavin phosphate 10 mg Orange flavor Orange ultraseal 105 mg Tngerine tangerine 10 mg

Example 4 is manufactured corresponding to example 3.

Manufacturing Process for Example 3:

Vitamin Blend:

In a drum, vitamin D3 100 CWS, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12 0.1% WS, vitamin K1 5% SD, coenzyme Q 1 0 10% CWS/S, sodium molybdate dihydrate, sodium selenate anhydrous and mannitol (a part) were mixed together to form a first premix. Into the tank of the blender the following ingredients were introduced and mixed: the first premix, vitamin A palmitate, nicotinamide, calcium pantothenate, vitamin E powder, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin sodium phosphate, thiamin monophosphoric, betatab 10% E, crospovidone, beet red juice powder and mannitol (a part).

Mineral Granule:

The following ingredients were mixed: copper citrate.2.5H20, zinc citrate trihydrate, iron source, manganese sulfate monohydrate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate dihydrate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium chloride, anhydrous citric acid and mannitol (remainder). Thereafter the mixture was granulated by spraying a binding solution made of ethanol, sucrose esters of fatty acids, potassium iodide and chromium chloride hexahydrate. The granule was dried, cooled and sieved.

Final Blend:

In the tank of a tumble mixer the mineral granule, the vitamin blend, ascorbic acid, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sorbitol, anhydrous sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, orange flavor, passion fruit flavor, potassium acesulfame, aspartame and mannitol SD 200 were mixed to form the final blend.

Tabletting:

The homogeneous final blend was compressed to tablets on a rotary tablet press.

Results:

Examples 1 and 3 did not show a metallic bad taste when administered orally.

The disintegration time for the tablet of Example 1 (orodispersible tablet) was 67 seconds.

The purpose of the above description is to illustrate some embodiments of the present invention without implying a limitation. It will apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the apparatus or procedure of the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

1. A medicinal composition for oral consumption, comprising a ferric salt and a copper salt, wherein said ferric salt is a pyrophosphate salt and said copper salt is a citrate.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said medicinal composition is free of a metallic taste or aftertaste.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein said copper salt is a hemipentahydrate salt.
 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein said composition comprises from about 0.1 to about 2 mg of copper.
 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein said composition comprises from about 0.3 to about 1.1 mg of copper.
 6. The composition of claim 2, wherein said ferric salt is a nonahydrate salt.
 7. The composition of claim 5, wherein said composition comprises from about 1 to about 60 mg iron.
 8. The composition of claim 3, wherein said copper salt is a hemipentahydrate salt.
 9. The composition of claim 2 wherein said composition further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of minerals and vitamins.
 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein said composition comprises an orally dispersible nutritional supplement.
 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein said composition comprises a chewable tablet, an orodispersible tablet or an effervescent formulation.
 12. The composition of claim 11, wherein said composition comprises a disintegrating, orodispersible tablet having a disintegration time of less than about one hundred seconds.
 13. A process for manufacturing a nutritional supplement comprising the steps of forming a first blend comprising a copper salt selected from the group consisting of citrate salts; forming a second blend comprising a ferric salt selected from the group of pyrophosphate salts and combining said first and said second blend to form a compressible mixture; and compressing said compressible mixture to form said nutritional supplement.
 14. A process for treating a patient in need of regulation of systemic iron levels comprising the steps of periodic administration of a composition comprising a ferric pyrophosphate salt and a copper citrate salt and periodically monitoring the systemic iron level of said patient. 